As the University scrutinizes over how to minimize a $135 million deficit, we have repeatedly called for transparency on the part of the administration as it “Reimagines” Cornell. Equally pivotal to this relationship, however, is that students take a real interest in the drastic, yet inevitable, changes taking place.

Future cuts are far from set in stone. Rather, colleges and departments are currently completing extensive internal reviews, with a deadline of Sept. 30 to submit suggestions to the provost about future cuts. It is critical that students think about what they value in their university and make their voices heard.

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If Prof. Muna Ndulo, law, chooses to return to Zambia to face charges of contempt, his actions deserve the full support and attention of the Cornell community.

Ndulo’s recent column in Zambia’s widely read newspaper, The Post, eloquently and persuasively outlined the weakness of the government’s case against the editors of the paper, arguing that the vacuous charges against them should be dropped. Upon reading Ndulo’s column, a Zambian magistrate charged both Ndulo and the paper’s editorial board with contempt of court. The magistrate chose not to respond to Ndulo’s ideas, or those of the editors, but instead challenged their right to openly express their opinions.

The HEROIC sun has been shining, the freshmen have been drinking and classes have been, well, stinking. It’s two weeks down and — damn it — way too many VILLAINOUS days left to go. Nevertheless, we’ve been keeping busy thinking about all the “reimagining” going down on the Hill, and have doused ourselves with plenty of HEROIC booze to make the future seem a little less scary.

Ithaca is known for many things, including gorges, gardens, woodland trails and architecture. Freshman year can be a dizzying blur of parties, exams and new friendships, but it can be a smart idea to take a couple Saturdays to get to know the town in which you’ll be spending the next four years.

A day hike is the perfect way to truly experience Ithaca and Cornell. Grab a pair of comfortable, broken in sneakers and set aside five or six hours to explore your new home! Here’s a neat walk to get you started, taking you down into Ithaca and some of its prime public spaces, as well as through the famous gorges: Cascadilla and Fall Creek.

With outsiders Bain & Co. hard at work peeling off layers of Big Red Tape, the University must be forthcoming about what these costly consultants are uncovering.

The goal to trim $100 million would be tough for anyone, especially a company like Bain with disputable credentials working in higher education. Is the situation so dire that the administrators who were first handed the task are giving up? Does a global consulting firm like Bain have the experience required to restructure a university as complex as Cornell?